Retaining wall with rear pin system

ABSTRACT

A retaining wall has a plurality of tiers. Each tier has a plurality of blocks. At least one pin passes through each block of at least a first tier and extends into material being retained behind at least a portion of a second tier that underlies the first tier.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to retaining walls and in particular the present disclosure relates to retaining walls with rear pin systems.

BACKGROUND

Retaining wall blocks typically have a rear edge lip that overlaps an underlying block to assist in forming a retaining wall. These rear lips make storage and transport of retaining wall blocks more difficult and space-consuming. Another problem is that typical lipped blocks have a set lip size, so that a setback from one block to the next in a wall is constant. To change the setback and still maintain structural wall integrity requires different blocks with different lip depths.

For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for alternative retaining wall blocks.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the disclosure provides a retaining wall having a plurality of tiers. Each tier has a plurality of blocks. At least one pin passes through each block of at least a first tier and extends into material being retained behind at least a portion of a second tier that underlies the first tier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a retaining wall block, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the retaining wall block of FIG. 1 viewed along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of an embodiment of a retaining wall, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of region 400 of FIG. 3, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a portion of a retaining wall during construction, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a portion of a retaining wall during construction, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a retaining wall, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a retaining wall block 100, according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross section of block 100 viewed along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. A hole 104, located adjacent a rear surface 106 of block 100, extends all the way through block 100 and spans the entire thickness of block 100 in a direction perpendicular to an upper surface 108 and a bottom surface 110 of block 100 and parallel to rear surface 106, as shown in FIG. 2. Note that the rear surface 106 faces in a direction opposite to a front surface 107. For one embodiment, a distance D, in a direction perpendicular to holes 104, between a central longitudinal axis 310 of the holes 104 and the front surface 107 is greater than a distance d, in a direction perpendicular to holes 104, between the central longitudinal axis 310 and the rear surface 106, as shown in FIG. 2.

For one embodiment, at least two holes 104 are distributed across a width of block 100 in a direction parallel to the upper surface 108, as shown in FIG. 1. Although holes 104 are shown to have a substantially rectangular-shaped cross-sections when viewed from the top in FIG. 1, holes 104 are not limited to having substantially rectangular-shaped cross-sections and may have cross-sections of other shapes, such as circular, etc. It should be understood that additional pin holes could be provided, and they could allow the offset of blocks in different ways, such as at angles or the like, without departing from the scope of the invention.

When a block 100 forms a portion of a retaining wall, such as a retaining wall 300 of FIG. 3, a pin 120, such as a nail, a landscape spike, etc., is inserted into hole 104 so that the pin 120 extends beyond the bottom surface 110 of the respective block and into material 302 being retained to secure the block in position on the retaining wall, as shown in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4 an enlarged view of region 400 of FIG. 3. For one embodiment, each hole 104 is recessed or countersunk below the upper surface 108 of block 100, as shown in FIG. 2. For another embodiment, hole 104 may be countersunk so that the head of pin 120 is substantially flush with upper surface 108, as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, hole 104 may be countersunk so that the head of pin 120 is recessed below upper surface 108. For one embodiment, pins 120 may be galvanized steel, stainless steel, plastic, etc. The holes adjacent the rear of each block and the pins that pass though these holes form a rear pin system for securing the blocks to the material being retained by the retaining wall formed by the blocks.

Note that pin 120 does not interconnect successively adjacent lower and upper blocks, such as blocks 100 ₂ and 100 ₃, as is often done with some conventional retaining walls. Instead, for one embodiment, pin 120 passes through the portion of the bottom surface 110 of the upper block (e.g., block 100 ₃ of FIG. 4) that directly overlies and contacts material 302 and extends into directly into material 302 to secure its corresponding block (e.g., block 100 ₃) in its place within retaining wall 300, as shown in FIG. 4. Note that pin 120 extends into the material 302 behind the rear surface 106 of the lower block (e.g., block 100 ₂ of FIG. 4). That is, when blocks 100 form retaining wall 300, the portion of an upper block (e.g., block 100 ₃) that includes hole 104 extends beyond the rear surface 106 of the successively adjacent lower block (e.g., block 100 ₂) in the direction of the material 302 being retained behind the retaining wall so that the holes 104 of blocks 100 ₂ and 100 ₃ are offset (or not aligned) with each other and so that the portion of block 100 ₃ that includes hole 104 directly overlies and contacts the material 302 being retained behind block 100 ₂, as shown in FIG. 4. Moreover, the longitudinal axis 310 of hole 104, and thus pin 120, of upper block 100 ₃ lies behind the rear surface 106 of lower block 100 ₂ when blocks 100 ₂ and 100 ₃ form part of retaining wall 300. Note that the rear surfaces 106 are in direct contact with the material 302 being retained for one embodiment.

For one embodiment, a portion of the bottom surface 110 of an upper block (e.g., block 100 ₃ of FIG. 4) directly overlies and covers the head of the pin 120 passing through the lower block (e.g., block 100 ₂ of FIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 3, retaining wall 300 may be formed by positioning a base block 310 atop a compacted material 305, for example. Note that base block 310 does not have a hole for a pin passing therethrough. However, for some embodiments, a block 100 may be used for a base block.

Block 100, is placed atop block 310 so that its bottom surface abuts the upper surface of block 310, so that the portion of block 100 ₁ with a hole 104 passing therethrough extends into the material 302 behind the rear surface 312 of block 310 and so that hole 104 of block 100 ₁ is aligned with the material 302 behind block 310. A pin 120 is inserted into hole 104 of block 100, so that pin 120 passes entirely through block 100, and extends into the material 302 behind the rear surface 312 of block 310. Block 100 ₂ is then placed atop block 100 ₁ so that its bottom surface abuts the upper surface of block 100, so that the portion of block 100 ₂ with a hole 104 passing therethrough extends into the material 302 behind the rear surface 106 of block 100 ₁, and so that hole 104 of block 100 ₂ is aligned with the material 302 behind block 100 ₁. This processes is repeated until the retaining wall is at a certain (e.g., predetermined) height, at which point a cap block 320 may be placed atop the last block 100 (e.g., block 100 _(N)) of the retaining wall, as shown in FIG. 3.

Note that the front surfaces 107 of the respective blocks 100 form a front face of retaining wall 300 that is exposed to air, as shown in FIG. 3. For one embodiment, each front surface 107 may have one or more impressions formed therein.

It should be further noted that each of the blocks 100 ₁ to 100 _(N) of FIG. 3 is a portion of a row or tier of blocks of retaining wall 300. For example, block 100 ₁ is one block of a plurality of blocks 100 ₁ that extend into the plane of the page and that form a tier 320 ₁ of retaining wall 300; block 100 ₂ is one block of a plurality of blocks 100 ₂ that extend into the plane of the page and that form a tier 320 ₂ of retaining wall 300, etc. Therefore, for, example, the pins that pass through the each of blocks 100 ₂ of tier 320 ₂ extend into the material 302 behind each of the blocks 100 ₁ of tier 320 ₁ etc. Moreover, for one embodiment, base block 310 is one block of a plurality of base blocks 310 that extend into the plane of the page and that form a base tier 315 of retaining wall 300, and cap block 330 is one block of a plurality of cap blocks 330 that extend into the plane of the page and that form a cap tier 335 of retaining wall 300, as shown in FIG. 3.

For one embodiment, a portion of each of the blocks of one tier of blocks is in direct contact with a portion of each of the blocks of another tier of blocks. For example, a portion of the bottom surface 110 of block 100 ₃ of tier 320 ₃ is indirect contact with a portion of the upper surface 108 of block 100 ₂ of tier 320 ₂, as shown in FIG. 4. Direct contact between portions of the blocks of successively adjacent tiers of blocks is also shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively front and rear views illustrating a portion of a retaining wall 500 during construction, according to another embodiment. Common reference numbers are used in FIGS. 3-4 and 5-6 to denote substantially similar components. During the construction of retaining wall 500, a flexible, pliant anchor grid (or mesh) 510 commonly known in the trade as a geo-grid, e.g., of sheet-like plastic material, may be disposed between successively adjacent tiers 320 of blocks 100. For example, an anchor grid 510 is disposed between a block 100 ₁ of tier 320 ₁ and a block 100 ₂ of tier 320 ₂, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. After disposing an anchor grid 510 between blocks 100 ₁ and 100 ₂, pins 120 are passed through block 100 ₂ and through apertures 515 in that anchor grid 510, e.g., that are aligned with the holes 104 that pass through block 100 ₂ and thus the pins 120, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. After passing through the apertures 515 in an anchor grid 510, the pins 120 extend into the material 302 being retained that is located behind the blocks 100 of an underlying tier 320, e.g., behind blocks 100 ₁ of tier 320 ₁ in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a retaining wall 701, according to another embodiment. Common reference numbers are used in FIGS. 3-4 and 7 to denote substantially similar components. For one embodiment, flexible anchor grids 510 are installed as retaining wall 701 is constructed with one end of an anchor grid 510 positioned between successively adjacent tiers of blocks and the remaining portion of the anchor grid 510 extending onto the material 302 being retained, where it becomes embedded as succeeding tiers of blocks are laid and more backfill material is added.

For example, a portion 512 of an anchor grid 510 is positioned between the blocks 310 of base tier 315 and the blocks 100, of tier 320 ₁, a portion 514 of that anchor grid 510 extends between layers 700 ₁ and 700 ₂ of material 302, and a pin 120 passes through a portion 516 of that anchor grid 510 that is interposed between portion 512 and portion 514, as shown in FIG. 7. Moreover, a portion 512 of an anchor grid 510 is positioned between the blocks 100 ₂ of tier 320 ₂ and the blocks 100 ₃ of tier 320 ₃, a portion 514 of that anchor grid 510 extends between layers 700 ₂ and 700 ₃ of material 302, and a pin 120 passes through a portion 516 of that anchor grid 510 that is interposed between portion 512 and portion 514, as shown in FIG. 7. Note that portions 516 include the apertures 515 and that apertures 515 are aligned with the holes 104 passing though the blocks and thus the pins 120.

For one embodiment, pins 120 pass through blocks 100 ₁ of tier 320 ₁, though an anchor grid 510, e.g., portion 516 of that anchor grid 510 that is aligned with the pins 120, and extend into the material 302 of layer 700 ₁ behind blocks 310 of tier 310 and directly underlying portion 516 of that anchor grid 510, as shown in FIG. 7. Further, pins 120 pass through blocks 100 ₃ of tier 320 ₃, though an anchor grid 510, e.g., portion 516 of that anchor grid 510 that is aligned with the pins 120, and extend into the material 302 of layer 700 ₂ behind blocks 100 ₂ of tier 320 ₂ and directly underlying portion 516 of that anchor grid 510, as shown in FIG. 7. For another embodiment, blocks 100 ₃ of tier 320 ₃ may be in direct contact with blocks 100 _(N) of tier 320 _(N), and blocks 100 ₁ of tier 320 ₁ may be in direct contact with blocks 100 ₂ of tier 320 ₂.

Using the pins of the embodiments of the rear pin systems described above to secure the blocks 100 to the material to be retained and thus in their respective positions in the retaining wall avoids a need for appendages, such as rear lips or bumps, that extend from the blocks to secure the blocks to each other in the retaining wall, as is commonly done with conventional blocks of conventional retaining walls. For one embodiment, the top and bottom surfaces of blocks 100 do not include any appendages for securing the blocks to each other. Blocks without appendages transport better. For example, the blocks are substantially level and not off kilter. This acts to provide less contact and collisions between the blocks and therefore less chipping of the blocks during transport.

In addition blocks without appendages are more conducive to the secondary aging process. For example, a some retaining-wall consumers prefer an aged look to their retaining wall. This is done by taking the block and abusing it through a tumbler or another aging machine to give the product a “beat-up” look. If the tumbling is done with a retaining wall block with an appendage, the appendage is likely to become damaged which may effect the locking mechanism and therefore the structural integrity of the wall.

CONCLUSION

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. Many adaptations of the embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments. It is manifestly intended that the embodiments be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. A retaining wall, comprising: plurality of tiers, each tier comprising a plurality of blocks; wherein at least one pin passes through each block of at least a first tier and extends into material being retained behind at least a portion of a second tier that underlies the first tier.
 2. The retaining wall of claim 1, wherein the at least one pin extends into the material being retained behind the second tier without passing through or extending into any portion of any of the blocks of the second tier.
 3. The retaining wall of claim 1, wherein the blocks of the first tier are in direct contact with the blocks of the second tier.
 4. The retaining wall of claim 1, wherein a first portion of a grid is interposed between the blocks of the first tier and the blocks of the second tier, wherein the at least one pin that passes through each block of at least the first tier passes through a second portion of the grid, and wherein a third portion of the grid extends between layers of the material being retained.
 5. The retaining wall of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the grid is interposed between the first and third portions.
 6. The retaining wall of claim 1, wherein the second tier forms a base of the retaining wall.
 7. The retaining wall of claim 1, wherein at least one pin passes through each block of the second tier and extends into the material being retained behind at least a portion of a third tier that underlies the second tier.
 8. The retaining wall of claim 1, wherein each pin passes through a respective block adjacent a rear surface of that block that is in contact with the material being retained.
 9. The retaining wall of claim 8, wherein a distance between each pin and the rear surface of the respective block is less than a distance between that pin and a front surface of the respective block that forms a portion of an exposed face of the retaining wall.
 10. A retaining wall, comprising: plurality of tiers stacked one atop the other, each tier comprising a plurality of blocks; wherein at least one first pin passes through each block of a first tier and extends directly into material being retained behind a rear surface of a block of a second tier that underlies that block of the first tier; wherein at least one second pin passes through each block of the second tier and extends directly into the material being retained behind a rear surface of a block of a third tier that underlies that block of the second tier; and wherein the second tier is interposed between the first and third tiers.
 11. The retaining wall of claim 10, wherein the blocks of the first tier are in direct contact with the blocks of the second tier and the blocks of the third tier are also in direct contact with the blocks of the second tier.
 12. The retaining wall of claim 10, wherein a first portion of an anchoring grid is interposed between the blocks of the first tier and the blocks of the second tier, wherein each first pin further passes through a second portion anchoring grid, and wherein a third portion of the anchoring grid extends between layers of the material being retained.
 13. The retaining wall of claim 12, wherein the blocks of the third tier are in direct contact with the blocks of the second tier.
 14. The retaining wall of claim 10, wherein the third tier forms a base of the retaining wall.
 15. The retaining wall of claim 10, wherein a head of the second pin passing through each block of the second tier directly underlies a portion of a block of the first tier.
 16. A method of forming a retaining wall, comprising: passing a first pin though at least one hole that passes completely through each first block of a plurality of first blocks of a first tier of the retaining wall so that the pin extends directly into material being retained that directly underlies a portion of that first block through which the at least one hole passes; positioning a plurality of second blocks of a second tier of the retaining wall overlying the plurality of first blocks so that at least one hole passing completely through each of the second blocks is aligned with the material being retained that lies behind the first block which that second block overlies; and passing a second pin through the at least one hole passing completely through each of the second blocks so that the second pin extends into the material being retained that lies behind the first block which that second block overlies.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprises before passing the first pin though the at least one hole that passes completely through each first block of the plurality of first blocks of the first tier: forming a base tier of third blocks; and positioning the plurality of first blocks overlying the plurality of third blocks so that the at least one hole passing completely through each first block is aligned with the material being retained that directly underlies the portion of that first block through which the at least one hole passes, wherein the material being retained that directly underlies the portion of that first block through which the at least one hole passes lies behind the third block which that first block overlies.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein a portion of each second block is in contact with the first block that that second block overlies.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein positioning a plurality of second blocks of a second tier of the retaining wall overlying the plurality of first blocks comprises positioning a portion of each second block directly overlying a head of a first pin.
 20. The method of claim 16 further comprises interposing an anchoring grid between the plurality of first blocks of the first tier and the plurality of second blocks of the second tier.
 21. The method of claim 20 further comprises passing each first pin through an aperture in the anchoring grid that is aligned with the hole through which that first pin is passed.
 22. A method of forming a retaining wall, comprising: forming a base tier of first blocks; and forming a plurality of tiers of second blocks overlying the base tier, wherein forming each tier of second blocks comprises: passing a pin completely through each second block so that the pin extends from a portion of that second block into material being retained that underlies the portion of that second block from which the pin extends.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the material being retained that directly underlies the portion of each second block of a first tier of second blocks from which a pin extends lies behind a second block of a second tier of second blocks that underlies the first tier of second blocks.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein each pin passes completely through a first portion of an anchoring grid before passing into the material being retained that directly underlies the portion of that second block from which the pin extends.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein a second portion of the anchoring grid is interposed between a first tier of second blocks and a second tier of second blocks underlying the first tier of second blocks, wherein a third portion of the anchoring grid is interposed between layers of the material being retained, and wherein the first portion of the anchoring grid is interposed between the second and third portions of the anchoring grid. 